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Fabulous Finds: Jesuso Ortiz
Jesuso Ortiz is an illustrator, artist and designer and I instantly fell in love with his beautiful, delicate illustrations on his Instagram page. Do check out his work and show his creativity some love.
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Fabulous Find: Colour Your Life
Colour Your Life by Yumalum
Couldn’t say it better myself. Check out Yumalum’s Etsy Store for funky posters and prints. Fresh, bright and definitely yummy!
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Adinkra
“What I hear, I keep “
Adinkra are the distinct and instantly recognisable motifs and symbols used in Ghanaian culture particularly by the Akan people. They are commonly seen in fabric but also used on pottery, furniture, in architecture and so on. Though extremely beautiful and decorative, each symbol represents various messages, proverbs and concepts.
A brief history
Adinkra cotton cloth was originally produced by the Gyaaman clans of the Brong region and was worn only by royalty and spiritual leaders and used for important ceremonies such as funerals and weddings. Traditionally, adinkra aduru a special ink was used in the printing process. Apparently this is produced by boiling, soaking and beating the bark from the Badie tree. The symbols where then applied to handwoven fabric using stamps. The creation of this type of cloth is believed to have begun as far back as the 17th century. Beautiful!
There is a great website that catalogues all the symbols with their associated meanings. http://www.adinkra.org
The site’s mission is to make available high-quality renditions of these African symbols at no cost for personal and non-profit uses. The site was designed to be user-friendly in Africa and anywhere else where slow and erratic internet connections can be a problem.
Please show them some love! There is a wealth of knowledge there.
I am completely and utterly in love with the history, ideas and stories embodied in these symbols. They are a simple and bold representation of history and sometimes complex concepts steeped in the tradition. The bold graphic nature of the motifs also appeal to me. Below are some of my favourites (I lie…I love them all).
ADINKRAHENE “Chief of the adinkra symbols” symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in the designing of other symbols. it signifies the importance of playing a leadership role.
ASASE YE DURU “the Earth has weight” symbol of providence and the divinity of Mother Earth This symbol represents the importance of the Earth in sustaining life.
BESE SAKA “sack of cola nuts” symbol of affluence, power, abundance, plenty, togetherness and unity The cola nut played an important role in the economic life of Ghana. A widely-used cash crop, it is closely associated with affluence and abundance. This symbol also represents the role of agriculture and trade in bringing peoples together.
DENKYEM “crocodile” symbol of adaptability The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating an ability to adapt to circumstances.
DUAFE “wooden comb” symbol of beauty and cleanliness; symbols of desirable feminine qualities The duafe was a prized possession of the Akan woman, used to comb and plait her hair and embodies abstract qualities of feminine goodness, love and care, looking one’s best and good hygiene. -
Bino and Fino
Bino and Fino is the wonderful educational Nigerian cartoon show about a brother and sister who live in a modern day city in sub- Saharan Africa. In each episode Bino and Fino, with the help of their friend Zeena the Magic Butterfly and their family, discover and learn things about the world.The show is for children mainly between the ages of 3 and 6.
It was created to provide more animated children’s content for the kids around the world to enjoy. As a parent, wherever you are in the world it is hard to find genuine, quality African made educational media that show wonderful aspects of African culture to your children. This is especially so when it comes to cartoons which kids are captivated by. Africa is telling its story. Bino and fino will help tell that story to children.
Here are articles on Bino and Fino and creator Adamu Waziri :Voice, CNN Venture Capital For Africa, MTV, Africa is a Country, I am the Nu black, African Screens
The 1st Bino and Fino TV feature has been broadcast in the UK, South Africa, online for free and screened at festivals to kids and parents. See what some had to say here , here and here. These are some quotes from fans on the show’s Facebook Page.
The show focuses on:
- African History, languages and culture
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Respect, fairness, family
- Communication, language and literacy
- Problem solving and reasoning
- Health and hygiene
- And FUN of course!!
This amazing venture needs your help. They are trying to raise $50,000 on Indiegogo and I urge you to check out their page right here. The wonderful think about contributing to this great scheme is you also get something in return (other than the sheer joy of giving).
INFORMATION
Website: http://www.binoandfino.com
Indiegogo Crowdfunder: http://www.indiegogo.com/binoandfino
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/binoandfino
Twitter: @binoandfino
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Cool Tee Thursday- Sealmaiden
Our cool tee for the day is from sealmaiden.
The metallic copper feather detail is so elegant which is not a word you would often associate with a tee shirt!
The tee comes in other colour variants.
Check out these and more over in their Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sealmaiden
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The Seek Project- Karo Akopkiere
‘The SeekProject is an avenue for me to make my art visible and to add more art to the world. Its a platform for self initiated and commisioned work, creative independence and growth.The Seekproject is also a path for me to collaborate with other artists and brands that have values and culture similar to mine.’
Karo Akpokiere
…inspired by Lagos Mainland’s ubiquitous yellow and black city buses, the daredevil antics of some of the drivers and condctors and also by advertising
There is so much power and talent bursting from these pages of The Seek Project I don’t even know where to start. It covers areas such as Print Media, Illustration, Murals, Logos, Apparel and even Footwear and is manned by Karo Akopkiere. I became an instant fan! I was even more excited when I learnt that this unbelieavably talented person was a fellow Nigerian born and bred!
This is a site you go back to again and again because there is always something new to feast your eyes on.
